The Raspberry Pi is an essential single-board computer that can be used in many tasks. Don’t believe it? Just take a look at this list of Raspberry Pi projects to see what this little device can do.

Considering the many uses of the Raspberry Pi, choosing a suitable operating system for it is extremely important. Of course, you can do a lot with Linux, but an operating system configured for specific purposes can save you a lot of time and effort.

Therefore, in this article, I will introduce some popular and practical operating systems specifically tailored for the Raspberry Pi.

Thanks to the Raspberry Pi image tool, installing any operating system on the Raspberry Pi is very easy.

Installing the Raspberry Pi operating system on an SD card is much easier than before. You just need to download the Raspberry Pi image to quickly install any Raspberry Pi operating system. Just watch the official video below to see how simple it is.

You can also use NOOBS (New Out Of the Box Software(New Out Of the Box Software)) to easily install various operating systems on the Raspberry Pi. You can also obtain a pre-installed SD card from the list of supported retailers mentioned on their NOOBS official download page.

Feel free to check their official documentation for more information on installing operating systems.

Now that you know how to install it (and where to get it), let me highlight a few useful Raspberry Pi operating systems that I hope will help you.

Various operating systems for Raspberry Pi

Please note that I have put some effort into screening those Raspberry Pi operating system projects that are actively maintained. If a project is about to stop maintenance in the near future, please let me know in the comments, and I will update this article.

Another thing is that I noticed that the latest version is Raspberry Pi 4, but the list below should not be considered a list of operating systems for Raspberry Pi 4; these systems should also work for Raspberry Pi 3, 3B+, and other variants, but please refer to the official website of the project for detailed information.

Note: The ranking is not in any particular order.

1. Raspbian OS: The official Raspberry Pi operating system

Raspbian OS is the officially supported operating system for Raspberry Pi boards. It integrates many tools for education, programming, and other wide-ranging purposes. Specifically, it includes Python, Scratch, Sonic Pi, Java, and many other important packages.

Initially, Raspbian OS was based on Debian and came pre-installed with a large number of useful packages. Therefore, when you install Raspbian OS, you may not need to specifically install basic tools — you will find that most tools are already pre-installed.

Raspbian OS is actively maintained and is one of the most popular Raspberry Pi operating systems. You can install it using NOOBS or refer to the official documentation.

2. Ubuntu MATE: Suitable for general computing needs

Although Raspbian is the officially supported operating system, it is not characterized by the latest and greatest software packages. Therefore, if you want faster updates and the latest packages, you can try the Raspberry Pi version of Ubuntu MATE.

The Raspberry Pi customized version of Ubuntu MATE is a very good lightweight distribution worth installing. It is also widely used on NVIDIA’s Jetson Nano. In other words, you can use it in many scenarios on the Raspberry Pi.

To better assist you, we also have a detailed tutorial: how to install Ubuntu MATE on Raspberry Pi.

3. Ubuntu Server: Use the Raspberry Pi as a Linux server

If you plan to use your Raspberry Pi as a server for a project, then installing Ubuntu Server would be a good choice.

Ubuntu Server has both 32-bit and 64-bit images. You can choose the corresponding operating system based on your board type (whether it supports 64-bit).

However, it is worth noting that Ubuntu Server is not tailored for desktop users. Therefore, you need to be aware that Ubuntu Server does not install a graphical user interface by default.

4. LibreELEC: Suitable for media servers

We already have media server software available under Linux, and LibreELEC is on the list.

It is a great lightweight operating system that allows you to install KODI on the Raspberry Pi. You can try using the Raspberry Pi image tool to install it.

You can easily find their official download page and find the installation image suitable for your board.

5. OSMC: Suitable for media servers

OSMC is another popular media server software under Linux. If you want to use the Raspberry Pi board as a media center device, OSMC is one of the operating systems you can recommend to others.

Like LibreELEC, OSMC also runs KODI, which can help you manage your media files and enjoy your existing materials.

OSMC has not officially mentioned support for Raspberry Pi 4. Therefore, if your Raspberry Pi is a Raspberry Pi 3 or earlier version, it should not be a problem.

6. RISC OS: The original ARM operating system

RISC OS was originally created for ARM devices and has been around for nearly 30 years.

If you want to know, we also have a detailed article introducing RISC OS. In short, RISC OS is also customized for modern ARM-based single-board computers like the Raspberry Pi. Its user interface is very simple and focuses more on performance.

Similarly, this is not tailored for Raspberry Pi 4. Therefore, if your Raspberry Pi is 3 or earlier versions, you can give it a try.

7. Mozilla WebThings Gateway: Suitable for IoT projects

As part of Mozilla’s open-source implementation of IoT devices, WebThings Gateway allows you to monitor and control all connected IoT devices.

You can refer to the official documentation to check the required environment and follow the guidance to install it on the Raspberry Pi. It is indeed one of the most useful Raspberry Pi operating systems for IoT applications.

8. Ubuntu Core: Suitable for IoT projects

Ubuntu Core is another Raspberry Pi operating system suitable for potential IoT applications or just testing Snap.

Ubuntu Core is specifically tailored for IoT devices or specifically for the Raspberry Pi. I won’t deliberately promote it — but Ubuntu Core is a secure operating system suitable for Raspberry Pi boards. You can try it out for yourself!

9. DietPi: A lightweight Raspberry Pi operating system

DietPi is a lightweight Debian operating system that claims to be even lighter than the “Raspbian Lite” operating system.

While it is considered a lightweight Raspberry Pi operating system, it offers many features that can be useful in multiple usage scenarios. From simple software installation packages to backup solutions, there are many features worth exploring.

If you want to install an operating system with low memory usage and relatively better performance, you can give DietPi a try.

10. Lakka Linux: Create a retro gaming console

Want to turn your Raspberry Pi into a retro gaming console?

The Lakka Linux distribution was initially built on the RetroArch emulator. Therefore, you can immediately get all retro games on the Raspberry Pi.

If you want to know, we also have an article introducing Lakka Linux. Or just jump in!

11. RetroPie: Suitable for retro gaming

RetroPie is another operating system that can turn the Raspberry Pi into a retro gaming console. It provides several configuration tools that allow you to customize themes or adjust emulators for the best retro gaming experience.

It is worth noting that it does not include any copyrighted games. You can give it a try and see how it works!

12. Kali Linux: Suitable for low-cost penetration testing

Want to try and learn some ethical hacking skills on your Raspberry Pi? Kali Linux would be the best choice. Yes, Kali Linux usually supports the latest Raspberry Pi as soon as it is released.

Kali Linux is not only suitable for Raspberry Pi but also supports many other devices. Give it a try and have fun!

13. OpenMediaVault: Suitable for Network Attached Storage (NAS)

If you want to set up a NAS solution on minimal hardware, the Raspberry Pi can help you.

OpenMediaVault is initially based on Debian Linux and provides a wealth of features, such as web-based management capabilities, plugin support, etc. It supports most Raspberry Pi models, so you can try downloading and installing it!

14. ROKOS: Suitable for cryptocurrency mining

If you are interested in cryptocurrency and Bitcoin, then ROKOS will attract you.

ROKOS is a Debian-based operating system that essentially allows you to turn your Raspberry Pi into a node while pre-installing the corresponding drivers and packages. Of course, you need to understand how it works before installation. Therefore, if you are not very familiar with it, I recommend researching it first.

15. Alpine Linux: A lightweight Linux focused on security

In today’s era, many users are looking for distributions focused on security and privacy. If you are one of them, you can try installing Alpine Linux on the Raspberry Pi.

If you are a Raspberry Pi novice, it may not be as user-friendly (or easy for beginners) as you imagine. However, if you want to try something different, you can try Alpine Linux, which focuses on security.

16. Kano OS: An operating system suitable for children’s education

If you are looking for an operating system that can make learning fun and educate children, then Kano OS is a good choice.

It is actively maintained, and the user experience integrated on the desktop of Kano OS is quite simple and fun, allowing children to learn from it.

17. KDE Plasma Bigscreen: Turn a regular TV into a smart TV

This is an ongoing project by KDE. After installing KDE “Plasma Bigscreen” on the Raspberry Pi, you can turn an ordinary TV into a smart TV.

You don’t need a special remote control to control the TV; you can use a regular remote control.

“Plasma Bigscreen” also integrates the MyCroft open-source AI for voice control.

This project is still in the testing phase, so if you want to try it, there may be some bugs and issues.

18. Manjaro Linux: Provides you with a multifunctional desktop experience

If you are looking for an Arch-based Linux distribution on the Raspberry Pi, then Manjaro Linux should be a great addition, capable of doing many things suitable for general computing tasks.

Manjaro Linux ARM version also supports the latest Raspberry Pi 4. It provides XFCE and KDE Plasma variants for your Raspberry Pi or any Raspberry Pi alternatives.

Additionally, it seems to offer one of the fastest/best experiences on Raspberry Pi devices. If you haven’t tried it yet, give it a shot!

19. Volumio: Use as an open-source music player

Want to create a budget audiophile system? Volumio should help you.

It is a free and open-source operating system (GitHub) that also supports the ability to integrate multiple devices. You can manage all connected devices through a simple web control interface. In addition to the free version, it also offers a premium version that allows you to access exclusive features.

It does indeed support the latest Raspberry Pi 4. So if you’re interested in tuning your existing home stereo system for the best sound quality, give this a try.

20. FreeBSD

Don’t want to use a Linux distribution? Don’t worry, you can also install a UNIX-like operating system on the Raspberry Pi using FreeBSD.

If you didn’t know, we have a detailed article about the FreeBSD project.

Once you install it according to their official instructions, you can use it for any DIY experiments or just as a lightweight desktop system to complete specific tasks.

21. NetBSD

NetBSD is another impressive UNIX-like operating system that you can install on the Raspberry Pi. Its goal is to be a portable operating system across multiple systems.

If you have used it in other systems, you may already know its benefits. However, it is not just a lightweight portable operating system; it features a useful set of functions to accomplish various tasks.

Conclusion

I believe there are many operating systems customized for the Raspberry Pi — but I have tried my best to list the most popular or useful operating systems that are actively maintained.

If you think I missed the most suitable operating system for the Raspberry Pi, feel free to let me know in the comments below!

via: https://itsfoss.com/raspberry-pi-os/

Author: Ankush Das Editor: lujun9972 Translator: lxbwolf Proofreader: wxy

This article is originally compiled by LCTT and presented honorably by Linux China.